Can body end flanger with axially adjustable cam and turret



E. LAXO v ND FLANGER WITH AXIALLY ADJUSTABLE CAM AND TURRET July 11, 1950 CAN BODY E I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1947 IN VEN TOR. 0 Lnxo WWW July 11, 1950 E. LAXO 2,514,502

CAN BODY END FLANGER WITH AXIALLY ADJUSTABLE CAM AND TURRET 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1947 INVENTOR. J E0 Lnxo yw m ' July 11, 1950 ADJUSTABLE D TURRET Filed Jan. 25, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 E. LAXO CAN BODY END FLANGER WITH AXIALLY CAM AN IN VEN TOR. f0 1 4x0 Mme/VH5 Patented July 11, 1950 CAN BODY END FLANGER WITH AXIALLY ADJUSTABLE CAM AND TURRET Ed Laxo, Oakland, Calif., assignor to Atlas Imperial Diesel Engine 00., Oakland, Calif., a corv poration of Delaware Application January 25, 1947, Serial No. 724,379

The present invention relates to can body end fiangers, and is particularly directed to end flanging machines capable of adjustment for the purpose of accommodating can bodies of various heights or lengths.

An object of the invention is to provide an opposed turret-type of machine for forming can body end flanges, embodying a simple, compact and sturdy mechanism for accurately adjusting x 3 Claims. (o1. 153-25) invention is to provide a turret type of can body end flanger in which the longitudinal relationship between the individual forming dies on the same turret head can be accurately and readily adjusted.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the major part of a machine for forming end flanges on can bodies.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, through the left end of the machine, disclosing the adjustable turret and cam mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 on Fi 2. Y

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line 55 on Fig. 2.

6-6 on Fig. 2. v

In the form of the invention disclosed in the drawings, a bed plate It is supported on depending legs I l, and carries longitudinally spaced Fig. 6 is a partial section taken along the line 40 end supports or standards l2, l3 secured to it in A main drive shaft "is carried by boththe right and left standards l2, l3, theright standard l3 embodying a gear case in which suitable transmission (not shown) is contained for rotating the main shaft at the desired speed. Operation of the main shaft is under the control of a suitable-clutch control lever l8, which determines the driving connection between a suitable prime mover (not shown) and the transmission associated with the main shaft ll.

The turret mechanisms at both sides of the machine are similar, although oppositely disposed, so that a specific description of one will sufflce for both, with the diiferences noted below. As shown in Fig. 2, the turret mechanism H5 at the left side of the machine includes a stationary axial cam I9 located adjacent the left turret head which is secured for rotation with the main shaft IT by means of a key 2| fixed in the turret head and fitting within a longitudinal keyway 22 in the main shaft. The turret head 2|] has a plurality of longitudinally reciprocable slides 23 mounted therein, each slide having an inner die 24 anda ring 25 for forming the end fiangeson can bodies, A cap screw 26 clamps the die 24 and ring 25 against the inner end of the slide 23.

The outer end of the slide has a shaft 21 extending transversely through it, which is provided with an intermediate flange 28 engaging the inner surface of the slide 23. The outer portion of each'shaft 2'! is threaded and terminates in a suitable square head 29 to receive a tool for the purpose of turning the shaft. A look nut 30 threaded on the shaft is adapted to bear against the exterior of the slide in order to lock theshaft 21 in various angular positions of adjustment. The inner end of the shaft 21 has a circular eccentric or crank pin 3| around which a bushing 32 is disposed rotatably mounted by a pair of follower rollers 33adapted to ride within .a peripheral groove 34 in the axial cam 19. This cam has an inwardlydirected offset portion 19a around its periphery for the purpose of providing positive inward and outward movement of the slide 23 during rotation of the turret head 2!] and revolution of the slides 23 and dies 24 around the axis of the machine. By appropriately turning the eccentric shaft 21 and securing it in adjusted position by tightening the lock nut 30, the longitudinal position of each slide 23 in the turret may be adjusted, to insure the formation of a proper flange on the end of a can As indicated above, the right turret I5 is a substantial duplicate of the device atthe left of the machine. The right cam 35 is keyed to a sleeve 36 secured to, and projecting inwardly from the gear case I3, the cam 35 being longitudinally adjustable on the sleeve 36 and held in such position by one or more set screws 31 threaded into the hub of the cam and bearing against the sleeve. The right turret head 28a abuts the inner end of the sleeve 36.

The can bodies are fed downwardly between the turrets through a suitable feed chute 3B, dropping onto peripheral pockets 39 in end lates 40 secured on the inner ends of each turret head 20, 20a, which pockets are aligned with each other and with the dies 24.. The can bodies, carried in the pockets 3!! of the end vplates 40, are revolved with the turret slides 23 and die until the inwardly offset portions 190. of the cams i9, 35 force opposed slides simultaneously in- Wardly toward each other, to simultaneously form the end flanges on both end of a can body. The flanged bodies are then discharged through the inclined discharge chute 4| and dropped out of the machine onto a suitable receptacle or conveyor (not shown). The can bodies may be extracted from the turrets by a suitable extractor mechanism 42 which forms no part of the present invention, but which is described. and claimed inmy copending application executed on January 20, 1947, entitled Apparatus for Forming End Flanges on Can Bodies, Serial No. 724,378, filed January 25, 1947.

The application just referred to also describes and claims the supporting mechanism for the sides 38a of the feed chute 38, which also serves as a, guide to permit their adjustment. This supporting mechanism includes a pair of spaced rods 43 secured to the upper ends of the standards l2, l3, bracing such standards against outward end thrust, and also serving as rigid supports and guides for the feed chute 38 without the necessity. for any intervening arch or other supporting mechanisms, as in prior art devices.

In order to provide for adjustment in the effective longitudinal distance between the turrets l5, l6 and enable the machine to be used for the forming of end flanges on can bodies of different heights, one of the turrets 56 may be adjusted longitudinally within limits with respect to the other turret [5. In the specific form disclosed in the drawings, the left end of the left turret head 20 abuts the inner end of an adjusting sleeve 44 supported in the left standard l2 and having spaced bushings 45 therein for rotatably mounting the left end of the main shaft IT. This sleeve 44 extends through a split portion of the standard (2 provided by a, vertical slot 46 extending through the standard, in order to impart a slight amount of spring to this, intermediate portion and enable it to be clamped around or released from the adjusting sleeve 44 through a suitable device, as by means of a comparatively heavy clamp screw 4'! extending freely through the standard on one side of the vertical slot and threaded into the standard at the other side of the vertical slot. Tightening or releasing of the clamp screw 41' correspondingly tightens or releases the standard I 2 from gripping engagement with the adjusting sleeve 44.

Theadjusting sleeve extend outwardly of the left standard and is disposed within a longitudinal housing 48 whose flange 49 is seceured to the standard by bolts 50, or any other suitable means. This housing has an outer end member whose lower boss 52 serves as a bearing for the circular portion53 of a can body height adjustment screw 54 extending inwardly toward the standard l2 and with its inner end secured to a bearing roller 55 abutting the outer surface of the standard. This roller 55 is secured against endwise movement, to correspondingly secure the lead screw 54 against endwise movement, by means of a bearing plate 56 surrounding the roller and having a hole 51 through which the threaded portion of the adjusting screw extends freely. The bearing plate is secured to the standard by bolts 58 or the like.

The lead or can body height adjusting screw 54 has external threads engaging companion internal threads in a clamp 59 depending from the outer end of the adjusting sleeve 44, and having ears 6!! separated from one another below the adjusting screw, which may be moved toward each other by a clamp screw 6| extending freely through one ear and threaded into the other ear, in order to tighten the clamp 59 around the adjusting screw. Release of the clamp screw 6! enables a suitable tool to be applied to the square head 62 on the outer end of the adjusting screw 54, and the latter to be rotated in the proper direction in order to shift the adjusting sleeve 44 to the right or to the left, depending upon the direction in which the left turret i6 is to be adjusted with respect to the right turret [5.

The left cam I9 is prevented from rotation by means of a key 63 secured within its hub and received within a keyway 64 on the exterior of the adjusting sleeve 44. Provision is made for longitudinally adjusting this cam with respect to the adjusting sleeve by employment of one or more lock screws 65 extending inwardly through the cam hub and adapted to bear against the periphery of the adjusting sleeve. Loosening of these screws '65 permits the cam [9 to be moved longitudinally with respect to the adjusting sleeve 44 to the desired extent, whereupon the screws 55 may be tightened against the adjusting sleeve to hold the cam in the position in which it has been placed.

In the event it is desired to adjust the longitudinal distance between the turret heads 20, 20a and the turret elements associated therewith, the height adjusting screw 54 may be released by loosening the clamp screw 6! and the column or upright 12 may also be released from the sleeve 44 by loosening its clamp screw 41. The lead screw 54 is then rotated in the proper direction to feed the adjusting sleeve 44 and the cam l9 attached thereto either to the right or to the left until the turret heads 20, 20a are the proper distance apart.

The adjusting sleeve 44 is not secured to the turret head 20, but merely bears against its left end, and has the effect of determining the separating distance between the right and left-hand turrets i5, IS. The force exerted on the can bodies by the opposed dies 24 tends to produce separation between the turrets, which is resisted by abutting-of the turret head 23 with the inner end of the adjusting sleeve 44, and the abutting of the other turret head 20a with the sleevet'a at the right of the machine. After the proper adjustment has been made, the clamp screw 6! may be tightened to prevent further rotation of the can body height adjusting screw 54, and the standard clamp screw 41 is also tightened to hold the adjusting sleeve 44 against any tendency toward axial and rotary movement which might strip the threads on screw 54 or clamp 59. Thereafter, the main shaft i1 is rotated to rotate the right and lefthand turret heads 20, 20a. and their slides 23 and associated cam followers 33 around the cams I9, 35, progressively moving the opposed members 23 toward each other to form the end flanges simultaneously on the ends of each can body as it is fed around the machine.

It is, therefore, apparent that a simple means has been provided for accurately and rapidly adjusting the effective distances between the turrets l5, [6 to accommodate can bodies of different heights. It is also to be noted that individual adjustments can be made of the position of each cam I9 or 35 with respect to its support 44 or 3B and the turret head and slides, and that each slide and the die attached thereto may also be adjusted with respect to the turret head and its associated cam through the appropriate rotation and locking of the shaft 21 and eccentric 3| attached thereto.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A can body end flanger, including a support, a drive shaft mounted in said support, a turret connected to said drive shaft and having die means mounted thereon, a cam operatively connected to said die means for moving said die means longitudinally during rotation of said drive shaft and turret, an adjusting sleeve on said shaft for determining the longitudinal position of said turret on said shaft, a housing secured to said support and extending along said sleeve, and an adjusting screw rotatably mounted on said housing and support and threadedly engaging said sleeve for moving said sleeve longitudinally along said shaft.

2. A can body end fianger, including a support, a drive shaft mounted in said support, a turret connected to said drive shaft and having die means mounted thereon, a cam operatively connected to said die means for moving said die means longitudinally during rotation of said drive shaft and turret, an adjusting sleeve on said shaft for determining the longitudinal position of said turret on said shaft, a housing secured to said support and extending along said sleeve, an adjusting screw rotatably mounted on said housing and support and threadedly engaging said sleeve for moving said sleeve longitudinally along said shaft, means for locking said sleeve to said screw, and means for clamping said support around said sleeve to prevent its longitudinal movement.

3. A can body end flanger, including a support, a drive shaft, a turret connected to said drive shaft and having die means mounted thereon, an adjusting sleeve extending through said support for determining the longitudinal position of said turret on said shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported in said sleeve, a cam fixed to said sleeve and operatively connected to said die means for moving said die means longitudinally during rotation of said drive shaft and turret, a housing secured to said support and enclosing said sleeve, an adjusting screw rotatably mounted on said housing and support and threadedly engaging said sleeve for moving said sleeve longitudinally along said shaft, means for locking said sleeve to said screw, and means for clamping said support around said sleeve.

ED LAXO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 871,379 Troyer Nov. 19, 1907 1,263,076 Kruse Apr. 16, 1918 1,622,558 Wilson Mar. 29, 1927 1,854,170 Hermani Apr. 19, 1932 2,320,049 Pearson May 25, 1943 2,329,291 Pearson Sept. 14, 1943 

